New boats: Bayliner Element XR7

The Bayliner Element range first arrived in Australia in 2013, with various entry-level boats built onto the Bayliner M-shaped hull and aimed at first-time boat buyers.

But this latest concept is likely to have far wider appeal. The Element XR7 is essentially a pontoon boat, built in fibreglass, and boasting a forgiving M-Hull, but with sportsboat looks.

The end result combines the space, comfort and capacity of a pontoon barge, but with sharp appeal and performance.

By utilising fibreglass, Bayliner has carved out two ski lockers set into the floor and these will swallow wakeboards, fishing rods, or just some of the gear you could expect to accompany a massive 16-person capacity.

In front of the helm there’s another surprise – where most pontoons employ a fold-out canvas "privacy" curtain, the XR7 has an enclosed head in the starboard console.

A fibreglass hull also means you can expect a decent tow sports wake, with the M-Hull made up of a vee running down the centerline and two more vee-shaped sponsons outboard with hard chines. Power options include 150 to 200hp outboards.

Within the 25ft hull, there are two big lounges up forward, slotted behind a swim platform with bow ladder – also perfect for beach landings.

There’s another swimladder at the stern, plus another handy swimplatform and over the top of the outboard, a solid tow arch which should make wakeboarding much more enjoyable.

The reclining sun beds at the stern will make a great spot to watch said wakeboarders from and there is even a wet bar with optional fridge.

The Element XR7 will arrive in Australia later in 2015. If you see a ‘pontoon boat’ doing things a pontoon boat never should, it just might be a Bayliner Element XR7.